> ...ask alumni of your school for referrals. Just random alumni. When candidates do this to me I am happy to refer them after I personally screen their resume

> ...ask alumni of your school for referrals. Just random alumni. When candidates do this to me I am happy to refer them after I personally screen their resume and I converse with them a little (written or verbal). I don't refer someone unless I think it's worth my company spending money evaluating them. I dislike the pushy candidates who believe this approach is a no-effort side door.